The topic emerged during a Carroll Chamber of Commerce Legislative Forum Saturday at Kuemper Catholic High School attended by about 100 people.

Muhlbauer said he would push for road and bridge projects with the surplus, and urged counties and cities to have shovel-ready projects on the books.

Carroll resident Frank Hermsen said it made little sense to think of sending the money back in the form of rebates when the state just years ago, under Gov. Chet Culver, imposed a 10 percent across-the-board cut in state services.

Another Carroll resident, Loretta Hansen, said she would support a gas-tax increase as well.

"I'm all for raising the gas tax if it pays for roads and bridges," she said.

Segebart has broken with many in his party in supporting a gas-tax increase of about 10 cents a gallon.

"I see needs all over the place," Segebart said.

Muhlbauer said state transportation funding falls $250 million short annually to handle basic maintenance alone.

He supports a gas-tax increase of "a little more" than 10 cents a gallon.

"Gas tax is still sitting there on the realm all the time," he said.

The big picture finances in Iowa are looking solid as well, the legislators said.

On other matters, Segebart said he supported legislation to finance a public-safety training and equipment fund that could result in a training center being developed in central Iowa for emergency personnel.

"It's something we all know is important to our communities," he said.

Segebart also backed a measure that passed the Senate mandating radon testing in school. He urged residents to do the same in their homes on a voluntary basis.

Both legislators said they strongly supported state tax credits for private schools.

"Competition's always good in anything," Muhlbauer said.

Education is expected to be a major debate topic this week in the Legislature as is the potential expansion of Medicaid.

Muhlbauer supports Medicaid expansion, saying it is the best option before Iowa. Segebart, like Gov. Terry Branstad, said he doesn't trust the federal government to make good on its commitments.

Legislators will debate major education reform, and the topic of allowable growth, the annual percentage increase in state funding to schools based on enrollment, continues to be a point of partisan contention.

With regard to commercial-property-tax reform, Segebart supports a gradual decrease for commercial owners of 20 percent.

Muhlbauer said plans for property-tax reform have been before the Legislature for years and that the fate of reform is in the hands of leadership.

"Until they come together, and really decide what they're going to do, nothing is going to happen," he said.